The Portland daily press., 1887-10-24
ELIHu 8. wAsHsURNE.
a Distinguished Member OF an Illus
trIous Maine Family.
The Record OF a Long Life Spent In
the Nations Service.
His Work as Legislator, Statesman
and Diplomat.

CHICAGO, Oct. 22.-Hon. Il. B. Washburne,
ex-Minister TO France, died this afternoon.
lie died at the house Of his son, Hampstead
Washburne, at p. H., Of congestion Of the
heart and brain. Mr.. Washburne had about
recovered from the last attack Of brain con-
gestion, and arose this morning feeling ouits
well. About O'Clock. as he was seated In a
BARRIERS chair, be- was seized with pain in
the region Of his heart, so severe that he was
rendered for time speechless. He was
assisted to bed and the family and ply
sician hastily summoned. The physician
prescribed for the attack aud In a short time
he experienced relief He rested easily for
the rest Of the day. Shortly before 1 O'clock
ne arose without assistance to take a drink
OF water, but was almost Immediately seized
with recurrence Of the pain In the heart,
this time more severe than before. He was
quickly assisted to bed and restoratives ad-
ministered. He lay apparently resting, after
which he turned his head 10 one side and ex-
pired without giving any indications Of fur
ther pain.
Elihu Benjamin Washburne, native Of
Maine, was the third member Of a family OF
seven boys, several Of whom were destined
TO become famous in the affairs OF their
country. He was descended directly from
John Washburne, the first Secretary Of the
Council OF Plymouth. His paternal, and also
his maternal, grandfather took part In the
revolutionary war. His father, Israel Wash
burne, inherited the charaeteristies Of his
ancestors, and was a man Of firm convictions
and sterling integrity. He was a native Of
Massachusetts, and removed TO Maine in
1906, settling three years later at LIvermore,
in Oxford county. There Elihu was born on
the I'D OF September, 1916, about four years
before Maine became a State.
AT the age OF 10 Mr.. Washbune secured a
position In the Office Of the Christian Intel
ligencer, published at Gardiner. Afterwards
nc served In the Office Of the Kennebec
journal, where he made the acquaintance Of
Hannibal Hamlln. His health Obliged the
young man 10 give up his position In the
journal office, and re resolved 10 study law
lie accordingly entered an academy at Read
HELD. and at the end Of a year continued his
studies in the law office Of John Otis, at
HallOwell. Mr.. Otis, who was a distinguished
lawyer and afterward a member Of Congress,
recognized the ability in his charge, and aid
ed him To pursue his studies. Young Wash
burne entered the Cambridge Law school In
March, 1889, and studied there over year,
having several student companions who have
become men OF Tepute, Including Gen.
Charles DeVenS, James Russell Lowell, ex=
Gov, Bullock, Richard Fl. Dana and liam
M. Evsrts. de passed bis examination and
mined to seek a field In the growing West
Inc summer OF 1910 found him settled at
Galena, Ill, after having passed thence
through Washington, where he saw the great
men Of the country. He had arrived at his
destination shortly after the commencement
OF the memorable Harrison campaign, and
being a strong Nhig he delivered speeches In
support OF that party. He formed law CO.
partnership with Charles l.. Hempstead and
was successful from the start In 1874 no
was made delegate to the Wing National
Convention at Baltimore, which nominated
Henry Clay for President. He further ad-
yocated the election Of Clay on the stump.
Though absorbed In his law practice and
without seeking political position at that
time, he was brought forward In 1S4S as q
candidate for nomination 10 CONGRESS.
Though unsuccessful In this drst attempt. he
received the nomina.ion four years later and
was trlumphantly elected.
MIR. Washbnrne was afterwards elected 10
Congress term after term until March, 1860,
when he resigned 10 become Secretary OF
State under General Grant. Chosen and re-
chosen 70 the House, through the war. he
| House, having been longest in continuous
| service, and as such he administered the
| Speakers oath three times 70 Mr.. COlfax and
once to Mr.. Blaine. Mr. Washburne, during
his long service, held many important posi-
tions upon the committees Of the House. He
/ was chairman OF the committee Of the whole
during the Impeachment proceedings against
President johnson.
After holding his position in President
Granes Cabinet for month, Mr.. Washburne
resigned to become American Minister at
| Paris, where he remained during the dark
| days OF the Franco-Prussian war, winning
| distinction as the representative Of German
interests In the French capital. His expert
ence there furnished Mr. Washburne with
material for the papers he has recently been
/ preparing for Scribner's Magazine upon
Paris In the Siege and under the Commune.